Shaheed Satwant Singh Ji : (Part 2 of 3)

Author/Source: Maninder Singh Baja

(Translated by Zorawar Singh from ਜੁਝਾਰੂ ਯੋਧੇ By Maninder Singh Baja)

THE DEDICATION OF BIBI SURINDER KAUR

Bhai Satwant Singh was incarcerated in Tihar jail in Delhi. His family and his fiance, Bibi Surinder kaur were only allowed to meet him 3 times. The bullet lodged near his spine was still causing him great pain. The authorities would not allow doctors to see him. So one day he used his own fingernail to cut his skin and remove the bullet. After the bullet was removed, he regained his health and was in a state of Chardikala!

The authorities witnessing his better health and shining face thought of new methods to torture him and his family. They prevented his fiance from visiting him, stating that she could only visit once they were married. Bibi Surinder Kaur decided she would marry a photo of Satwant Singh so that they could not use this excuse. Their relatives were unhappy with this decision. Bhai Satwant Singh`s father, Sardar Tarlok Singh stated, “Dear daughter, we will marry you to our youngest son Swaran Singh. The Khalsa Panth has had to deal with this brutal Indian Government. How can you ever expect any justice from such a brutal regime? Even the courts are just pawns in the hands of Rajiv Gandhi. There is no hope that Satwant Singh will ever be free!”

Bibi Surinder Kaur replied, “Bapu ji, a woman only ever loves one man. I have already accepted Satwant Singh as my beloved husband. He is my husband, and I am his wife. That is how it shall remain. The brother of Satwant Singh, will be my brother.”

Bibi Surinder Kaur`s father, Sardar Virsa Singh said, “Daughter, if you do not change your decision to marry the photo of Satwant Singh, then I will commit suicide by taking poison!”

Bibi Surinder Kaur replied, “Dear Father ji, Gurbani states, 'Marran Lekiaee Mandal Mae Ayee' so every person has their death written by Akaal Purakh Waheguru before they are born on this earth. Waheguru has already written your last breath and in the same way the decision of my marriage to Satwant Singh cannot change either. If it is written that he is going to die by hanging then that will happen also. I am ready to face whatever comes my way in the future. Until my last breath, I will never let any stain come on respect due to the dastar of Satwant Singh, your dastar, father, and the dastar of my father-in-law.”

It was now the year 1988 and the role of Siri Akal Thakhat Jathedar was held by the questionable Jasvir Singh Rode. Due to the fact that Bibi Surinder Kaur would not change her mind to marry the photo of Satwant Singh, both families decided to take her to the Jathedar so he could convince her. Jasvir Singh said to her, “Bibi, do not rush to make such a big decision. There is no hope that the authorities will not give Satwant Singh a sentence of hanging. So do not make such a big life decision, without thinking it through…”

Bibi Surinder Kaur replied, “Singh Sahib ji, you are right. The authorities will give Satwant Singh the hangman's noose. Both our families had decided to marry me and Satwant Singh. Due to Satwant Singh not geeting vacation time off, the wedding was delayed at the last moment. However, if Satwant Singh had killed Indira Gandhi after our marriage, then he would have been sentenced to hanging as well. I, as Satwant Singhs wife would have had to see every hard time in the future. My husband, Satwant Singh completed a great and brave task! The integrity of the Sikh Nation, its dastar, was ripped off by Indira Gandhi and she stamped on it with her feet in June 1984. My husband took the dastar of the Sikh Nation and replaced it on its head. Even in my worst dreams, I could never turn my back on such a great man. It can never happen! I have accepted Satwant Singh as my husband. I will never let a stain come on his Dastar. I will spend my whole life as the widow of Satwant Singh!”

Akal Takhat Jathedar, Jasvir Singh Rode, said to both fathers of Satwant Singh and Bibi Surinder Kaur, that, due her strength of will, she should be allowed to marry the photo of Satwant Singh, in the presence of Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji. According to the hukam of Singh Sahib, on the 2nd May 1988, Satwant Singh's father, Bapu Tarlok Singh, his mother, his elder brother and his wife, left their house with a picture of Satwant Singh and went to the house of Sardar Virsa Singh. In the presence of Sahib Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji, Bibi Surinder kaur married the photo of Satwant Singh. In the afternoon, the Doli of Bibi Surinder Kaur left the residence of Sardar Virsa Singh for the house of Bhai Satwant Singh.

THE COURT STATEMENT OF SATWANT SINGH

Every court in the land, only gave the sentence that Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi had wanted. Before the Supreme Court, Bhai Satwant Singh made a statement. He said, “Let any part of my body, after my Shaheedi, be removed and donated to anyone in need. However, if you need my eyes, let the authorities tell my parents. I have no hatred for any Hindu, Muslim, Christian, neither hatred for any religion. After my Shaheedi, let no Sikh throw any rock at any Hindu. I am not in favour of any retaliation or bloodshed over my Shaheedi. If we do create bloodshed, then there is no difference between us and Rajiv Gandhi. I am proud of the task that I did! I do ardas in front of Waheguru ! If I am blessed with a human life, then give me a death of the brave when I am hanged. Forget one life, if I could I would give up a thousand lives to kill dushts like Indira Gandhi, and laugh as I become Shaheed by hanging….”

I greatly honor and salute our respected Satwant Singh ji and Bibi Surinder Kaur! As in honor of Satwant Singh, and I am so proud that my father had named me after you. It means a lot. You and all the other Shaheeds will always be remembered and honored. Waheguru will bless you all and your families.

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